Cape-type head covering



A ril 9, 1968 L. L. GETTINGER CAPE-TYPE HEAD COVERING Filed Aug. 18, 1967 my MM W H 6 A. W M

Unite tates Patent 0 3,376,581 CAPE TYPE HEAD COVERING Lillian L. Gettinger, 2509 Shelly Drive, Baltimore, Md. 21207 Filed Aug. 18, 1967, Ser. No. 661,629 6 Claims. (Cl. 22G9.1)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An improved cape-type head covering which serves to protect the wearers coiffure and shoulder area in the event of inclement weather. The cape-type head covering hereof includes a crown portion and an integral depending skirt portion which together form a cap and cape arrangement. Additionally, a visor portion is incorporated which is extendable to protect the wearers face and/ or front portion of the coiffure against rain, and tie members are included so that the user can secure the device in desired position. Since the arrangement is quite versatile, it is referred to as a reversible head scarf, although it is not necessarily intended to be reversed as such.

This invention relates to an improved light-weight foldable, reversible head scarf of the type which can be Worn by a woman to protect her coiifure. More particularly, this invention relates to a head scarf which can be worn in a first position to provide a decorative and attractive coilfure covering and which can be worn in a reversed position to provide a protective covering for the coiffure from rain, snow, sleet and generally inclement weather conditions. The head scarf of this invention contains a protective, broad visor which, during adverse weather conditions, can be extended to protect not only the hairdo but also the face of the user, or alternatively, can be withdrawn into an ineffectual, retracted position. Furthermore, the inventive head scarf significantly incorporates a protective cape the ends of which can be drawn together under the wearers neck and which, therefore, serves to protect the wearers shoulders and neck from the elements in addition to protecting the coiffure and the face.

Head scarves have been widely used for several years for use in protecting a womans coiffure against various adverse weather conditions. With the advent of synthetic fabrics and films, extremely light-weight head scarves capable of being conveniently stored in the purse or pocket of the user has become even more wide spread than before. The fact that the materials from which the head scarves are made are comparatively inexpensive has stimulated public acceptance of such head scarves to the point where almost all woman and girls now own at least one head scarf for use when the need arises.

Originally, there were two basic types of head scarves, namely: one which was used purely for decorative purposes, and another in which the scarf was formed of a plastic film, to thereby afford protection against inclement weather conditions. A recent development in head scarves combines the features of functionality heretofore only found in scarves fabricated of a plastic film, with attractiveness, which was only found in the decorative head scarves. This head scarf which combines functionality with attractiveness can be used in one position as a decorative coilfure covering and in the reverse position as a protective covering against the weather. This dual-purpose unit thereby eliminates the necessity of carrying about two separate head scarves.

Although the above mentioned reversible head scarf has found wide acceptance and constitutes a significant advance over the head scarves previously known, it

. suffers a disadvantage which constitutes an annoyance to 3,376,581 Patented Apr. 9, 1963 the wearer. Notwithstanding the fact that the reversible head scarf, as such, already provided superior protection against rain, snow, sleet and so forth, it was discovered that in extremely bad weather conditions at least the front of the hair and, in particular, the face of the user in the region near the forehead, has a tendency to become exposed to the weather elements. This is particularly true when there is heavy precipitation accompanied by windy conditions, since the reversible head scarf may have a tendency to slip rearwardly, thereby exposing the hairdo and top of the head, at least near the region of the forehead. It undoubtedly is possible to tie the head scarf tighter about the head of the user, but this may not be desirable since any increased tightening of the head scarf would concomitantly disarrange the coitiure which, in certain s0-called boulfant styles, is an extremely delicate work of art. Moreover, even if the head scarf were prevented from slipping upon the head of the user, the forehead and face would still be exposed to the weather elements, and there would be a tendency for the rain or snow to trickle down from the top portion of the head scarf along the face, thereby streaking the users makeup.

A more recent development in the field of head scarves which represents a significant improvement over the basic dual-purpose head scarf, is a reversible head scarf having a protective, broad visor at the front which effectively eliminates the disadvantages noted above and associated with the prior art head scarves. The visor can be either extended to overhang the upper portion of the face of the user in the event of inclement weather, or it can be retracted into an ineffectual position should the head scarf be worn as an attractive and decorative head dress.

A further improvement to the reversible head scarf which incorporates a broad visor is the provision of a contoured back for all-over protection of the upper extremity of the user and, therefore, is capable of rendering all-weather coifiure protection in a most eflicacious manner.

Another drawback of the previous reversible head scarf which was frequently encountered was the fact that Water could trickle downwardly and rearwardly onto the back of the wearers neck as well as forwardly to the wearers forehead. Many wearers observed, in this connection, that while their coiifures were generally kept dry their necks and shoulders were still susceptible to the uncomfortable effects of the elements. In the improved head scarf incorporating a broad visor the problem of protection for the forehead, face and complete coilfure was solved. Unfortunately, the problem of protection of the neck and shoulders, extending from the wearers back around to the neckline of her outer garment was left in abeyance.

It is to this end that an important object of the present invention is to provide an improved reversible head scarf having a protective, broad visor at the front, and incorporating a protective cape which effectively eliminates the abovementioned disadvantages of the prior art head scarves.

, Another, more specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved head scarf having a protective visor front and a protective cape which safeguards the user against all weather conditions.

Additionally, it is a further important object of the present invention to provide an improved reversible head scarf having a broad visor and embodying a cape for all-over protection of the upper extremity of the user, to render all-weather protection for the wearers coiffure, face, neck and shoulders in an extremely advantageous manner.

Yet, a further object of this invention is the construe tion of a reversible head scarf having a neck and shoulder protecting cape and a visor front which can be either extended to overhang the upper portion of the face of the user in the vent of inclement weather, or can be retracted into an ineffectual position should the head scarf be desired for use only as an attractive and decorative head dress.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a head scarf which is inexpensive to manufacture, yet is attractive in appearance, has multiple utility in that it can be used in all types of weather, is durable so that it may be repeatedly used for extended durations of time, and can be stored away conveniently in a very small area when use is not required.

Accordingly, in order to implement these and still further objects of this invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description thereof proceeds, it should be noted that the reversible head scarf broadly comprises a flexible generally semi-circular mesh crown portion having a substantially linear first forward edge portion and an arcuate first rearward edge portion extending between opposed extremities of the first forward edge portion. Additionally, a moisture impervious, flexible plastic film crown portion, of substantially the same size and shape as the flexible mesh crown portion, is fixedly adhered in superimposed fashion upon the mesh crown portion. The protective cape of said head scarf effectively serves to prevent water from dripping onto the wearers neck and shoulders with all the concomitant discomforts and annoyances accompanying such a situation.

In another important aspect of the present invention there is additionally provided a visor formed of flexible mesh material and being generally semicircular in shape with a substantially linear second forward edge portion and an arcuate second rear edge portion extending between opposed extremities of the second forward edge portion. This mesh visor portion, in turn, is lined with a moisture impervious plastic film visor portion which is superimposed upon the mesh visor portion. Such mesh visor portion together with its associated moisture impervious visor portion is connected to the central portion of the front edge of the crown of the head scarf in a manner enabling the visor to either be extended in overhanging fashion forwardly and downwardly past the upper region of the crown to provide protection for the top of the head and upper region of the face of the wearer against attack by the weather elements, or to be tucked rearwardly in superimposed or underlying relationship with respect to the crown portion, to thereby assume an ineffectual retracted position.

This invention will be better understood, and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the entire head scarf designed according to the teachings of the present invention with the visor front in an extended position and with the cape protecting the shoulders;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the crown portion utilized in forming the head scarf of the present invention with the mesh crown portion broken away to show the associated moisture impervious crown portion;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the visor which is attached to the front of the crown portion of FIGURE 2 when forming the inventive head scarf with the mesh visor portion broken away to show the moisture impervious visor portion;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a flexible mesh tie utilized to secure the inventive head scarf to the wearers head;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the inventive head scarf, showing all of the elements depicted in FIGURES 2 to 4 assembled;

FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 7 is a front view of a pocket case suitable for storing and carrying the inventive head scarf when not in use.

Turning first to FIGURES l and 5 of the drawings wherein the inventive head scarf is shown in assembled form it can be seen that the exemplary head scarf incorporates a head and shoulder covering piece, or crown, 10 with a visor front 12 connected thereto. A pair of ties 14 are provided for securing the. head scarf in place. Considering first the crown 10, such is advantageously formed of a flexible mesh crown portion 11 to which is superimposed a moisture impervious, flexible plastic film, crown portion 13. The flexible mesh crown portion 11 is preferably formed of a nylon chiffon mesh which may be clear or colored to provide it with decorative value, or may be formed of any other suitable mesh material. The moisture impervious crown portion 13 is a clear flexible plastic film such as vinyl, polyethylene or other well known material possessing suitable characteristics. The mesh crown portion 11 and the moisture 1mpervious crown portion 13 are joined by any one of several method well known in is one in which the two materials are uniformly bonded each to the other. This may be done either before or after the materials are cut to the desired size and shape, with ease of handling being provided, material which is pre-bonded. Another exemplary method of joining the mesh crown portion 11 with the moisture impervious crown portion 13 is by stitching around the periphery thereof or such stitching combined with stitching along one more paths throughout the central portion of the work piece. In this connection, it should be understood that any reference herein to fixedly adhering a flexible mesh portion with a corresponding moisture impervious portion embodies any of these well known methods of joining. In a like manner, any reference herein to a flexible mesh portion or to a moisture impervious portion is to be construed as construction of any of the aforementioned raw materials.

The visor 12 which is connected to the forward edge.

16 of the crown 10 embodies a flexible mesh visor portion 15 having superimposed therewith a moisture impervious visor panel 17. with the crown 10 is perfected in a manner that this visor may be either extended, as depicted in FIGURE 1, into a position where it protrudes forwardly and downwardly past the front edge 16 of the crown 10, or alternatively, can be tucked or retracted to underlie beneath the crown 10. When the visor 12 is extended, as in FIGURE 1,. the head scarf is typically employed as a protective head covering to safeguard the hairdo and face of the user against the weather elements, particularly rain, snow, sleet, and so forth. Of course, extension ofthe visor 12 J into the forward overhanging position may also be desirable when confronted with extremely windy conditions.

On the other hand, retraction of this visor 12 is usually performed when it is unnecessary to employ the protective aspect of the visor 12, when the head scarf is mainly used as a decorative covering or head dress.

Having already considered the assembled head scarf, attention is now directed to the various components which are employed in forming the same and are illustrated in FIGURES 2 to 4. The crown 10, which is formed of flexible mesh crown portion 11 superimposed with water impervious crown portion 13, is generally semicircular in shape, having a substantially linear first forward edge portion 16 and an arcuate first rearward edge portion 18 which extends between opposed extremities of the, first forward edge portion 16.

The visor 12, shown in FIGURE 3, is advantageously formed of the same materials as the crown. 10. The flexible mesh visor portion 15 is preferably dyed in the same color as the flexible mesh crown portion 11. The moisture impervious visor portion 17 is superimposed upon the mesh visor portion 15 in a manner like the construction of the crown portion 10. The visor 12 is also generally the art. A preferred method I however, by a working i The connection of the visor 12.

semicircular having a substantially linear second forward edge portion 20 and an arcuate second rearward edge portion 22 which extends between opposed extremities of the second rearward edge portion 20. The greatest width of this generally semi-circular visor 12 is selected such that, when in assembled condition, it sufliciently protrudes downwardly and forwardly in overhanging fashion with regard to the face of the user that it affords protection against the weather elements, while at the same time not obstructing the users vision. This dimension is considerably smaller than the corresponding dimension between the first forward edge portion 16 and the first rearward edge portions 18 of the crown 10.

The ties 14, illustrated in FIGURE 4, are preferably formed of the same flexible mesh material as used in the flexible mesh crown portion 11 and the flexible mesh visor portion 15. They are of sufiicient length and width that the user can conveniently tie them beneath her chin to secure the head scarf in place. The ties 14 may comprise a single layer of mesh as shown at 24 or may, advantageously, be folded over longitudinally to form a twolayer member shown at 28. One end of the ties 14 is cut to an angle at as further described hereinbelow. The ties 14, of course, could also be fabricated from the meshplastic sandwich.

Having now had an opportunity to appreciate the various components of the head scarf, as shown in FIG- URES 2 to 4, there will hereinafter be described one possible manner of assembling these individual components into the final head scarf unit. Advantageously, a prebonded sandwich of mesh and plastic film is used from which the crown and the visor 12 are cut. After the component parts are cut the first rearward edge portion 18 of the crown 10 is slightly folded over upon itself in the direction of the mesh crown portion 11, and stitching is 4 applied, as indicated by reference numeral 31 (FIGURE 5), to thereby form the rear edge banding 32. If desired, an additional narrow strip of flexible mesh may be folded over the rear edge banding 32 before the stitching 31 is applied, to add additional reinforcement and decorative effect. It will be obvious that the stitching 31 which maintains the rear edge banding- 32 in place also would serve to adhere the rear edge of the water impervious crown panel 13 to the rear edge of the mesh crown panel 11 if separate material is used for these crown portions instead of a pre-bonded sandwich. Then, front edge portion of the visor 12 is folded slightly back upon itself in a like manner and stitching is applied to form front edge banding 34 of the visor 12. Now, the rear edge 22 of the visor 12 is brought into alignment with, and centrally located upon, first edge 16 of crown 10 with water impervious visor portion 17 facing water impervious crown portion 13. The thus aligned rear edge portion 22 and first edge portion 16 are slightly folded over in the direction of the crown 10 and the ties 14, folded in half longitudinally as shown at 28 in FIGURE 4, are placed in position along first edge portion 16. The thus superimposed ties 14 and first edge portion 16 are slightly folded over, and the remaining sections of first edge portion 16 are slightly folded over upon themselves and stitching is applied to form the edge banding generally designated by the numeral 37. In FIGURE 5 it can be seen that edge banding 37 is divided, for purposes of description, into portions 36 and 38. Edge banding portion 36 extending between points 50, 50 is that portion in which rear edge portion 22 is superimposed upon first edge portion 16 and edge banding portions 38 are those portions of edge banding 37 extending from points 50 to the ends of first edge portion 16. Tie portions 14 are located along first edge portion 16 outwardly from points 56 at an acute angle or with respect to first edge portion 16. While angle a is not critical, and is not necessarily acute, it has been found that convenience in tieing the ties 14 is achieved when an acute angle is provided.

By referring to FIGURE 6, a diagrammatic depiction of the cross-section at point 50, it can be seen that a sandwich is formed by crown 10, tie 14, visor 12 and a narrow strip of reinforcing flexible mesh 33 with stitching 35 passing therethrough. It is here indicated that the foregoing manner of assembling the various components constituting the inventive reversible head scarf is but illustrative, and obviously the sequence of assembly operations could be varied from that herein described by way of example.

The thus assembled head scarf is now ready for use. When used, for instance during bad weather, the plastic portions 13 and 17 are located on the outside and the visor 12 is extended in the manner shown in FIGURE 1. As a result, the head scarf affords good protection against the elements, particularly safeguarding the crown portion of the head, the region of the forehead of the face of the user and the shoulders and neck against direct impact by rain, snow or sleet as well as water dripping downwardly from the visor 12 or the crown 10. Moreover, the extended visor 12 and the hood formed by crown 10 also afford protection against the wind.

On the other hand, if the weather is dry and the head scarf is to be worn as a decorative head covering, or merely to protect the coiffure against being windblown, the plastic portions 13 and 17 are disposed inwardly and the decorative mesh material of the crown portion 11 and the visor portion 15 are disposed at the outside. In this position the head scarf will give the appearance of an ordinary chiffon head scarf inasmuch as the mesh material is colored while the plastic portions 13 and 17 are preferably transparent. Of course, it would also be possible to extend the visor 12, if desired, for instance to mitigate to some extent the effects of the sun and wind. Moreover, if the protective effect of the cape feature is not needed, the same may be folded under and the head scarf may then be worn as an ordinary head scarf for protection of the coit'fure against the effects of sun and slight wind. After use, the inventive head scarf can be easily folded into the pocket or purse of the user or into an attractive, compact pouch which may be easily fabricated from the same material used in the head scarf.

Such a carrying case or pouch can be seen in FIGURE 7 as being made from one piece of the pre-bonded meshplastic sandwich. A rectangular piece of the sandwiched material is slightly folded over and stitched to form edge banding 44 and 46 at the ends thereof. The workpiece is then folded twice again with the plastic on the inside so that edge banding 44 and 46 partially overlap. The superimposed ends are then slightly folded over and stitched to form edge ban-ding 42. The thus formed pouch 40 will conveniently hold the head scarf for storage in the pocket or purse. If the head scarf is wet the pouch 40 will prevent damage to any other objects with which the head scarf may come into contact.

It should be apparent from the foregoing detailed description, that the objects set forth hereinabove have been successfully achieved. Moreover, while there is shown and described a present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims. Accordingly, what is claimed is:

1. A combination head scarf and cape device having a main body portion and a visor portion, said device comprising:

(a) a first generally semi-circular member including a mesh layer and a coextensive moisture impervious plastic layer secured thereto;

(b) said first generally semi-circular member having an at least substantially linear first forward edge, and an arcuate first rearward edge extending between opposed extremities of said first forward edge;

(e) a second generally semi-circular member including a mesh layer and a moisture impervious plastic layer secured thereto;

(d) said second generally semi-circular member being substantially smaller than said first generally semicircular member and having an at least substantially linear second for-ward edge, and an arcuate second rearward edge extending between opposed extremities of said second forward edge;

(e) the linear length of said arcuate second rearward edge being substantially smaller than the length of said linear first forward edge, and said arcuate second rearward edge being joined to said linear first forward edge along the length thereof but in centered relation to said linear first forward edge whereby said joined edges conform the head scarf to a head enveloping shape;

(f) said first generally semi-circular member being dimensioned to cover a substantial portion of a users coiffure and to hang freely about the shoulders of the user as a cape, and said second generally semicircular member being dimensioned to act as a visor when extended forwardly of said linear first edge, and yet being foldable under said first member when retracted;

(g) the inner and outer surfaces of said device presenting continuous plastic and mesh surfaces respectively;

(h) a pair of mesh tie portions joined to said linear first forward edge adjacent the end extremities of and extending forwardly from said second generally semi-circular member.

2. A combination head scarf and cape device as defined in claim 1, wherein the lower edge of each of said mesh tie portions together with the adjacent outer portions of said first forward edge enclose an acute angle.

3. A combination head scarf and cape device as defined in claim 1, wherein said moisture impervious layer of said first generally semi-circular member is bonded to said mesh layer of said first member throughout their opposing surfaces and said moisture impervious layer of said second generally semi-circular member is bonded to the mesh layer of said second generally semi-circular member throughout their opposing surfaces.

4. A combination head scarf and cape device as de- 5. A combination head scarf and cape device as defined in claim 1, wherein said arcuate second rearward edge of said second generally semi-circular member is 5 stitched to said linear first forward edge of said first generally semi-circular member along the length thereof but in central relation to said linear first forward edge.

6. A combination head scarf and cape device as defined in claim 1, wherein said mesh tie portions are 20 stitched to said linear first forward edge.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 25 D. 124,163 12/1940 Berger.

2,051,437 8/1-936 Dorn a 2-84 2,444,761 7/1948 Walston 284 2,870,451 1/1959 Brodsky 2202 3,201,803 8/1965 Gettinger 2-207 30 FOREIGN PATENTS 185,405 10/1936 Switzerland. 811,084 4/1957 England. 958,755 5/1964 England.

r JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

G. H. KRIZMANICH, Assistant Examiner. 

